Treasures of Jordan

Travel north of Amman to the Roman city of Jerash, one of the biggest and best-preserved Roman cities outside of Italy. Explore its colonnaded streets, amphitheatres, temples, and plazas before a visit to the ruins of Ajloun Castle. Originally built by the Ayyubid’s in the late 12th century to defend against crusading Christian armies, it has since been destroyed and rebuilt many times due to its strategic location atop Mount ‘Auf. Don’t miss the magnificent views of the Jordan Valley. In the afternoon we return to Amman for the night. 

Today is about exploring all the highlights of Amman. We begin with the Citadel ruins which tower over Amman and offer 360-degree views over the city. After learning about the city’s ancient history, we will walk down stone stairs to Hashemite Square which is a vibrant hub linking modern life with relics from the past like the Roman Theatre. Take a steep but rewarding climb up the stairs, find a good seat and imagine Roman actors entertaining the crowds. 
We walk through bustling souks filled with Jordanian handicrafts, golden jewellery, Dead Sea products, nuts and spices, and local produce. During this walk, you might like to sample local drinks such as fresh sugar cane juice, a refreshing Limonana, or strong Bedouin tea. Lunch is at one of Jordan’s oldest and most famous local eateries, known for falafel, hummus, and other mezze-style dishes. Finish off with a sweet treat of kunafa (cheese pastry soaked in sugary syrup). Our last stop is King Abdullah Mosque, known as the blue mosque for its beautiful tile work inside and out.

Distance: 4 miles (6km) 

Ascent and Descent: minimal 

We head south to the Al-Karak region for a walk through Wadi Bin Hammad. This narrow river gorge is a less visited oasis known for its dramatic canyon walls, warm springs, waterfalls and lush plant life. 

Following our walk, we continue south to the Dana Biosphere Reserve. This area of outstanding beauty has a melting pot of species from Europe, Africa and Asia. So far, a total of 800 plant species and near 500 animal species have been recorded. These include over 200 bird species, 38 mammal species and a range of reptiles and amphibians. We are staying deep in the heart of the mountains at an ecolodge hailed as one of the best 25 in the world.

Distance: 8.5 miles (14km) 

Ascent and Descent: 250 feet (70m) and 3,080 feet (940m)  

This morning, we take a short walk and explore the ancient copper mines in Feynan. Afterwards, we’ll drive to Dana, an historic village on a mountainside overlooking the spectacular Dana Biosphere Reserve. We will enjoy a lunch of local dishes including salads, and seasonal sides prepared by villagers before a walk on the Shaq Al Reesh Trail. On a guided walk of approximately 3 hours, keep your eyes peeled for rare wildlife such as the Nubian ibex, caracal wild cat, and lesser kestrel. Following the hike, we drive to Petra for our three-night stay.

Distance: approx. 6 miles (9.5km)

Spend an unforgettable two days exploring the pathways of Petra on foot. Discover rock-hewn churches, grand buildings, and ceremonial sites scattered around this huge ancient city. Staggering in scale and splendour, what was once the prosperous capital of the Nabataeans is now a wow-worthy tourist attraction welcoming over 1.1 million visitors every year. The walk through the narrow canyon entrance known as the Siq leads to the intricate yet massive façade of the Treasury – one of the most iconic images of Petra.  

This full day tour of Petra’s main site covers all the highlights including Djinn Blocks, Obelisk Tomb, the Dam, the Siq, the Treasury, Street of Facades, Theatre, Nymphaeum, Colonnaded Street, Winged Lion Temple, Great Temple, and Qasr al-Bint. There will be plenty of stops and rest opportunities

Distance: approx. 7 miles (12km)

We travel by bus to Little Petra, a less crowed part of the city believed to be a suburb that served as a caravanserai for traders on ancient routes. We get back on the bus for a short drive to the Petra Back Trail which takes a trail leading to the Monastery a façade – a spot that’s as special as the iconic Treasury but in a remote mountaintop location. From here, we descend to the main Petra site via 800 steps.

Distance: 4 miles (6km) 

Ascent: 1,150 feet (350m) 

Today we follow the Madras trail to the Royal Tombs and walk Wadi Farasa to Petra’s basin. Reach the Place of Higher Sacrifice and there are awe-inspiring views across the whole of the Petra area. 

From Petra we join the Desert Highway heading south to the stunning desert landscape of Wadi Rum. We arrive at Wadi Rum village where we transfer to 4x4 vehicles for an exhilarating trip to our camp in the heart of the desert.  This otherworldly Martian-like landscape has inspired many including T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia), who described it as "vast, echoing, and Godlike". It has also served as a setting for numerous films including Lawerence of Arabia, The Martian, Dune, and Star Wars. Human presence in the Wadi stretches back 12,000 years when nomadic hunter-gatherers roamed its canyons and later the Nabataeans used it as a vital trade route stop, building water systems including cisterns and dams. The Bedouin presence became dominant from the 5^th Century onwards and despite their mobile phones, 4x4s, and houses of today, they still enjoy nothing better than sleeping under the stars in the desert. We arrive at a small, remote Bedouin camp for a peaceful two-night stay.

Waking up to be greeted by the vast red desert will be a memory that will stay with you forever. After breakfast it is time to explore with a gentle guided walk in the Umm Sabata area (southern Wadi Rum). Umm is an honorific term meaning “mother of” while Sabata means to rest or pause. Its silent red cliffs with white sandstone peaks, serve as a key landmark for the Bedouins.  There are shady spots where we will stop to rest and stand in awe of the profound peace.  

We return to camp for lunch and free time. Later this afternoon, we take a 4x4 tour covering the northern part of Wadi Rum, including Siq Al Khazali famous for its ancient Nabataean and Thamudic rock drawings that date back over 2,000 years, Lawrence’s Spring a natural freshwater spring in the mountains where camels once drank, offering panoramic views of the desert and red sand dunes you can climb. The tour includes a stop at a Bedouin tent for tea. We return to our camp where we will enjoy another home-cooked dinner.

Leaving the desert behind, we drive back up north to Madaba, home to the Mosaic Map which is the oldest surviving representation of the Holy Lands. From here we head to Mt Nebo where the bible states Moses saw the Promised Land before he died.  

Our final evening in Jordan is located at the lowest land area on earth – the Dead Sea. This unique natural phenomenon has been attracting visitors for thousands of years and features in religious texts. Our resort has a private white-sand beach where you can walk into the warm waters, lie back and float without any effort. The waters and the mud are used in therapeutic treatments and products.  Our farewell dinner has a central buffet and several live cooking stations.

Transfer to the Queen Alia International Airport for return flights. We do not have to go through busy Amman to get to the airport.